Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Am i thinking too big?

[Ali_G]

Hey peeps,

Got my bike test next week and am looking at getting my first big bike, until now i've only ever ridden 125's

My question really was that i've been thinking about getting a Ducati 750ss as my first proper bike. Think is people have got me doubting myself now saying i should get something smaller as a first bike (a jap 400 / 600). I'm a bit confused now, have i got ideas above my station, should i start on something smaller and work my way up? What do you reckon?

[TP]

Well, ... it's an individual thing. If I use myself as an example I definitely prolonged my life by sticking to a 250 for 2 years before getting anything bigger. I used to get up to stupid stuff on that thing that I just wouldn't do now, plus a modicum of self-control is something I posess now and didn't then! Although if yesterday's ride home from work is any example I could accept some debate on that topic.

Having said that, you might be a nice mature person and be fine on a 750SS.

Not knowing you and making a recommendation I would suggest getting yourself a nice 600SS and cruising around on that until it frustrates you through lack of power etc and you become limited by the bike and not the other way around - this is what I did on my 250. This way you enter the Ducati fold and get to prgress at your own pace.

Just remember, no matter how bulletproof you feel it always hurts when you come off!

Always a difficult one this. I'd say you should be OK. Go for your 750 and invest in some more training and get used to the bike on some quiet roads.

I went from passing my test on a CB250 back in 1977 straight onto a Norton 850 Commando but things were a bit slower in those days

Basically it depends on your ability and confidence.

[dickieducati]

i would say, go for it, just be careful and only ever ride at you own pace and build up your confidence gradually.

[Ali_G]

Well i'm a bit of an oldie (28) i've had cars and bikes in the past and got most of the sillyness out of my system me thinks. Thing is i want a bike that i'm going to be able to learn on, not one that's going to scare me or one that i out grow in 6 months. I thought about a duc m600/600ss but figured they're the same size and stuff as the 750, only the engines a little bigger allowing it to grow with me as i get better / more confident on it.

Besides, all the smaller bikes (400/600 jap bikes) seem to be way more powerful than a 750ss anyways. Is it a weight thing? the 750's are much heavier therefore more difficult to ride as opposed to a power thing?

Anyway, i've got my 500 training next weekend on little cb500s so i'll see how that goes and take it from there i think.

[baylissboy]

Personally i would say that most modern sports bikes,be it a 250,400,600 or whatever,are all capable of "biting back" if you are too aggressive with them,so perhaps the old saying "the throttle goes both ways" is more important than the size of the bike!

Whatever you go for,put into practice what you have been learning on your training,take your time,keep your eyes open but above all,enjoy your riding!!

[saj288]

As a newish rider myself (3years) I took my test on a 125 bought a 500 and rode it "restricted" for 18months re-took test (I know it expired in another 6months but couldn't wait). Bought my ST2 and not looked back. Can't imagine ever getting to the point where I have "outgrown" this bike, although I reserve the right to change my mind (and ride something else).

However the best thing I have done is continued my training and will continue to learn, no one's perfect.

I love my bike so much I've started learning how to take care of it - cleaning and basic servicing. Getting good at passing spanners to those who know how to use them.

SA

p.s. goodluck with your test - be sure to let us know.

[ali]

I can't envisage a scenario where you're any less likely to kill yourself on a 600SS than a 750SS. Neither have the power to light up the back end by mistake (we wish!) and they're nearly identical in terms of handling/braking/etc.

I have to agree with saj288, the quicker you get on a bike you're comfortable with, and start focussing on all aspects of training, the better.

Good luck and enjoy.

Ali.B

[mike916]

If you get an older 600 ss they only have one disk on the front and are not the sharpest things on the brakes. But there again they havnt got instant go either

[TP]

Originally posted by Ali_G
Well i'm a bit of an oldie (28) i've had cars and bikes in the past and got most of the sillyness out of my system me thinks. Thing is i want a bike that i'm going to be able to learn on, not one that's going to scare me or one that i out grow in 6 months. I thought about a duc m600/600ss but figured they're the same size and stuff as the 750, only the engines a little bigger allowing it to grow with me as i get better / more confident on it.

Besides, all the smaller bikes (400/600 jap bikes) seem to be way more powerful than a 750ss anyways. Is it a weight thing? the 750's are much heavier therefore more difficult to ride as opposed to a power thing?

Anyway, i've got my 500 training next weekend on little cb500s so i'll see how that goes and take it from there i think.

In that case - go for the 750SS. I'm 28 as well and the self-control has kicked in this days - somewhat. Could be having kids too ...

Depending on your weight\size (no dig intended) I would also consider a 900SS if you are looking for a bike that you're going to keep for a few years.